Humanitarian workers are increasingly exposed to challenging, insecure, remote or hostile environments due to lawlessness, political instability and armed conflict, so there is a compelling need for them to be adequately prepared for any dangers they may encounter.

Sexual harassment, interactions with aggressive armed combatants, day light robbery and traffic accidents are realistic threats for humanitarians and aid workers. All field workers should be adequately prepared for these events and be proficient in establishing and maintaining telecommunications, whether working in a safe or hostile situation. Conscious of the varying needs within the sector, RedR Australia seeks to address the concerns of a range of organisations and individuals and their insurance providers. These include relief, development, research and advocacy organizations, operational agencies and agencies that are not directly operational but provide support to community based organisations and locally based NGOs.

RedR Australia’s HEAT course includes integrated Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) training, offering a combination of theory and practical based emergency medical training, giving participants the skills and knowledge to manage ballistic, penetrating and blast trauma. A few of the skills learned in TECC include commercial and improvised tourniquets and haemorrhage control, airway management of an unconscious casualty and an array of improvised techniques teaching students how to save and preserve life with limited resources. Participants will leave the course with the skills and knowledge to provide aid and operate in hostile environments around the world.

Aims and Objectives

To introduce what is a standard and recognised approach to managing security within the sector. The course provides an overview of individual and team risk management.

Course Objectives

To reduce the risk of injury and death to humanitarian workers by promoting:

• an understanding of security risks in the field environment
• the development of personal and team-based strategies
• effective use of communication and navigation devices
• successful application of first aid

Course Outline

• Tactical Emergency Casualty Care
• Security Context (inc Image and Acceptance)
• Trip Planning
• Communications Protocol and Equipment
• Field Preparedness and Evacuation
• Critical Incident Stress
• Navigation
• Weapons Awareness: Judging Distance
• Weapons Awareness: Movement under Fire
• Basics of Negotiation
• Sexual Assault
• Information Security
• Hostage and Kidnap Survival
• Physical Security
• Situational Awareness
• Vehicle Check Points/Road Blocks
• Active Armed Assailant
• Crowds and Mobs
• Explosive Remnants of War (ERW)
• Incident Reporting